Asphalt Tanks are non-universal storage equipment and feature strict compatibility requirements for the type, model and physicochemical properties of stored asphalt. The tank's structural design, supporting accessories, temperature control system and anti-corrosion configuration must match the characteristics of the specific asphalt in use. Random mixed storage and improper storage directly cause performance degradation and scrapping of asphalt, as well as tank corrosion, pipeline blockages and equipment failures, all of which are critical taboos in asphalt storage and construction practices. Different asphalt types have vastly different storage compatibility standards.
Ordinary road petroleum asphalt and base asphalt have the widest adaptability and can be stored in standard conventional carbon steel Asphalt Tanks, serving as the basic applicable materials for Asphalt Tanks. These types of asphalt feature stable performance, weak corrosiveness and low impurity content. They can maintain stable performance through conventional heating and constant-temperature storage without special anti-corrosion or stirring devices, adapting to all fixed and mobile Asphalt Tanks with constant-temperature heating systems. As the most commonly used storage materials for highway base and surface construction, they can be stored for a long time at a stable temperature of 130℃ to 160℃.
Modified asphalt (including SBS-modified, rubber-modified and SMA-modified asphalt) has stringent storage requirements and cannot be stored in ordinary Asphalt Tanks. Produced by adding modifiers to base asphalt, modified asphalt is prone to phase separation, sedimentation and delamination during static storage, which leads to inconsistent performance and reduced adhesion that fails to meet road construction standards. Therefore, tanks for modified asphalt storage must be fitted with continuous low-speed stirring devices and support precise temperature control between 150℃ and 170℃, while long-term high-temperature static storage is forbidden. In addition, modified asphalt has higher viscosity, requiring enlarged inlet and outlet pipelines to prevent material blockage. Storing modified asphalt in ordinary tanks without stirring devices is strictly prohibited.
Emulsified asphalt has entirely different storage conditions from hot-mix asphalt and imposes special requirements on Asphalt Tanks. As an aqueous emulsion composed of asphalt, water and emulsifiers, emulsified asphalt undergoes demulsification, delamination and performance failure under high temperatures. Thus, it requires no heating during storage and must be kept in sealed, anti-corrosion tanks at ambient temperature. Meanwhile, emulsified asphalt is weakly alkaline; long-term storage in ordinary carbon steel tanks causes corrosion, and rust impurities undermine emulsion stability. Accordingly, dedicated emulsified asphalt tanks require internal anti-corrosion treatment and ventilation pressure stabilization devices. High-temperature heating and closed sun exposure are prohibited, and the ambient storage temperature must be maintained between 5℃ and 35℃.
Coal asphalt and natural asphalt are highly corrosive and impurity-rich asphalt types that are strictly forbidden to be stored in ordinary carbon steel Asphalt Tanks. Coal asphalt contains numerous phenolic and aromatic corrosive substances that erode ordinary steel rapidly, easily causing internal tank corrosion, equipment damage and material leakage. Its volatile components are toxic, requiring tanks to be equipped with high-performance sealing, anti-corrosion and waste gas collection systems. Natural asphalt features high impurity content and viscosity and is susceptible to precipitation and caking, necessitating tanks with heavy-duty stirring and filtering devices. Storage in ordinary tanks commonly leads to bottom material caking and discharge pipeline blockages.
In addition, special asphalt varieties such as colored asphalt, dedicated waterproof asphalt and epoxy asphalt all have exclusive storage specifications. Colored asphalt fades easily due to high-temperature oxidation and thus requires low-temperature constant-temperature storage. Epoxy asphalt is a two-component material that demands isolated and sealed storage and must never be mixed with ordinary asphalt. In general, Asphalt Tanks must follow the principle of "special tank for special material". Mixed storage of different asphalt types is prohibited. Operators must confirm that tank structure, material and supporting devices match asphalt characteristics before storage to avoid material waste and equipment damage caused by improper operation.
